The weather is getting nicer, so it's time to get the kids outside for some fresh air and exercise. This weekend, the Lehigh Valley has plenty of outdoor activities to keep children active.

On Saturday, the Lehigh Valley Road Runners kicks off its Kids Running Series in Allentown's Lehigh Parkway.

The free event features seven runs for ages 3 to 14 every two weeks. The series is a great way to introduce kids to running.

The first run starts at 10 a.m. near the group's clubhouse on Little Lehigh Parkway, one mile from 15th Street.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. A warm-up is at 9:30 a.m. Expect to see clowns and balloons and hear popular music spun by a DJ.

Distances range from an eighth-mile for 3- and 4-year-olds to 2 miles for ages 13 and 14. The runs are held rain-or-shine on the cinder bridle path or the grass. Post-race snacks and drinks are provided.The runs continue May 29, June 5 and 19, July 10 and 19, and Aug. 7. All children get finisher ribbons at each event except for the Aug. 7 run at which everyone gets a medal. Kids who race at least five times also qualify for a free T-shirt.

Runners can register online and at the event. You don't need to be a member of the club to take part. More info: http://www.lvrr.org .

NURSE AT COPS N KIDS Liberty High School nurse, Kathy Halkins, will lead kids on a fitness walk outdoors of the Cops 'n' Kids Reading Room in Bethlehem tp get some fresh air and get heart muscles pumping Saturday.As part of Cops N Kids’ third Saturday program, Hawkins will encourage exercise from 10 a.m. to noon at the reding room on the 4th Floor, Northampton Community College's Fowler Family Southside Center, 511 E. 3rd Street.

There is no charge and children are invited to take up to five free books home with them. Comfortable clothing and sneakers are recommended. In case of rain, the program will move indoors with fun exercise to music.

KIDS FARM DAY Visit with live farm animals during Easton Farmers' Market Kids' Farm Day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday in Easton’s Centre Square.

Children can get close to baby goats, bunnies, a miniature donkey, a calf, alpacas, chicks, ducks and more from Flint Hill Farm in Center Valley. Children also can play in a giant hay pile, enjoy barnyard games and crafts and explore vintage tractors. Enjoy the “down home” sound of the Godfreys Bluegrass Jam Band from 10 a.m. to noon.Info: www.EastonFarmersMarket.com

TIME TO FISH Junior anglers can try their luck catching trout Saturday at Lehigh County Fish and Game Protective Association's annual junior trout fishing contest at the Little Lehigh Creek.The contest for children under age 16 will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Allentown creek. Cash prizes will be awarded for the largest and specially tagged trout, including a grand prize trout of $250. Refreshments are available.

The cost is $5 per child. Registration is in the tent in Lehigh Parkway at S. Jefferson Street near the 15th Street entrance. Info: 610-709-9871.

EXPLORE CEDAR CREEK Find salamanders, frogs and maybe a turtle during a Riparian Walk along Cedar Creek in South Whitehall Township on Sunday. The program is part of the Emmaus-based Wildlands Conservancy's Wild in the Parks program, which introduces families to one of the Allentown area's 38 parks each month, through September.

A naturalist will lead a walk to explore the plants and animals along the stream bank. The plants were planted last fall and are intended to create a riparian buffer to protect the creek from pollution and sediment run-off.

THE PLAYS THE THING Join Pinocchio in a dazzling carnival of costumes, circus acts and music as the wooden puppet takes his journey to become a real boy when Pennsylavnia Youth Theater presents the classic story from the Depression-era play, through May 23. The musical, written for the Federal Theatre Project, will fill the stage at the Charles Brown Ice House in Bethlehem, with musicians, clowns,jugglers, acrobats and puppeteers.

The show is being presented in the round and almost entirely in rhyme. “Pinocchio” also features six marionettes, a black light underwater scene and lots of audience interaction.

Rapunzel will take the stage at the Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville for one night only at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 15. The production is written and directed by area playwright and poet, Tom Bissinger and produced by the Tri-County Performing Arts Center in Pottstown.

The classic story tells the story of a young woodsman and his pregnant wife who must give up their new-born child, Rapunzel to the witch, Mother Gothel. The girl, locked ina tower falls in love with a passing prince who tries to rescue her. The story is by turns comic and sorrowful, lyric and poetic.A study guide is available to download, with fun facts, puzzles, questions to discuss, theater terminology and information on the characters and story at www.tripac.org.

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